In a significant judgment aimed at protecting the academic interests of students, the Allahabad High Court has observed that the right to appear in an examination is not just a procedural matter but is intrinsically tied to the Right to Live with Human Dignity under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution.
Justice Vivek Saran made these observations while hearing a petition filed by Shreya Pandey, a first-year undergraduate student who was barred from taking her semester exams due to a technical glitch at the university level.
The case involves Shreya Pandey, a student of B.Sc. (Biology) at Urmila Devi PG College, Prayagraj. Shreya had completed all formalities for her first semester, including paying her fees in July 2025 and attending regular classes.
However, when the exam season arrived, she was shocked to find that the university had not issued her an admit card. Upon investigation, it was discovered that while her application and details were present on the University’s online portal, the status remained in “draft form.” Because the record was never formally "updated" by the system or the authorities, she was effectively locked out of the examination hall.
The university, Prof. Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University, argued that since the records were not updated within the stipulated time, they could not issue the admit card.
The College informed the Court that Shreya was not alone; around 30 students faced similar issues. While the university corrected the records for 25 of them after a formal complaint, Shreya and four others were left in the lurch.
Taking a "grim view" of this administrative inertia, Justice Vivek Saran noted that the university was well aware of the problem but failed to take timely corrective steps. The Court was particularly concerned that the university could not explain what standard procedure it follows when such technical errors are reported.
The Court's ruling elevated the issue from a mere administrative error to a fundamental rights violation. The bench observed:
"Appearing in examination is akin to right to live with human dignity enshrined in Article 21 of the Constitution and when the petitioner is not at fault, her future should not be jeopardized only on the technical lapses."
By linking the right to take an exam to Article 21 (Right to Life and Personal Liberty), the Court emphasized that a student’s career and dignity are inseparable. Denying a student the chance to prove their academic merit due to a software error is, therefore, a violation of their constitutional rights.
To safeguard the petitioner’s future, the High Court issued the following directions:
- Special Examination: The University must conduct a special exam for Shreya Pandey for her B.Sc. (Biology) 1st Semester within two weeks.
- Result Declaration: The results must be published within a reasonable period to ensure she can continue her further studies without losing a year.
- Record Updation: The University is directed to update her records on the portal permanently.
- Explanation of Procedure: The University must file a counter-affidavit explaining the exact procedure they adopt when such technical glitches are reported.
This judgment serves as a stern warning to educational institutions across the country. In an era where "Digital India" is the norm, technical errors on portals cannot be used as an excuse to deny students their fundamental rights. The ruling reinforces the principle that "the student comes first" and that administrative machinery must serve the individual, not sabotage them.
The matter is scheduled for further hearing on February 10, 2026.
Case Title: Shreya Pandey v. State of UP & 2 Others
Case No: WRIT-C No. 43756 of 2025
Bench: Justice Vivek Saran
Advocate for Petitioner: Suraj Pandey
Advocates for Respondents: Pratik Chandra, Vikas Mishra